tailieunhanh - Course in General Linguistics Ferdinand de Saussure

phonetic changes, for example, includes things that have been said before, and perhaps more definitively; but, aside from the fact that this part contains many valuable and original details, even a superficial reading will show to what extent its omission would detract from an understanding of the principles upon which F. de Saussure erects his system of static linguistics. We are aware of our responsibility to our critics. We are also aware of our responsibility to the author, who probably would not have authorized the publication of these pages. This responsibility we accept wholly, and we would willingly bear it. | Course in General Linguistics Ferdinand de Saussure Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye In collaboration with Albert Riedlinger Translated with an introduction and notes by Wade Baskin m S9 6 McGraw-Hill Book Company New York Toronto London PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION phonetic changes for example includes things that have been said before and perhaps more definitively but aside from the fact that this part contains many valuable and original details even a superficial reading will show to what extent its omission would detract from an understanding of the principles upon which F. de Saussure erects his system of static linguistics. We are aware of our responsibility to our critics. We are also aware of our responsibility to the author who probably would not have authorized the publication of these pages. This responsibility we accept wholly and we would willingly bear it alone. Will the critics be able to distinguish between the teacher and his interpreters We would be grateful to them if they would direct toward us the blows which it would be unjust to heap upon one whose memory is dear to US. Geneva July 1915. Charles Bally Albert Sechehaye PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION The second edition is essentially the same as the first. The editors have made some slight changes designed to facilitate reading and clarify certain points. Ch. B. Alb. s. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION With the exception of a few minute corrections this edition is the same as the preceding. Ch. B. Alb. s. INTRODUCTION Chapter I A GLANCE AT THE HISTORY OF LINGUISTICS The science that has been developed around the facts of language passed through three stages before finding its true and unique object. First something called grammar was studied. This study initiated by the Greeks and continued mainly by the French was based on logic. It lacked a scientific approach and was detached from language itself. Its only aim was to give rules for distinguishing between correct and incorrect forms it was